Safari with grandma and go-dad

While the girls were here, they went to the best tourist attraction around....the Virginia drive thru Safari! So when go-dad came, we had to take him, too. He was very intrigued and kept saying "wow...what liability this place is!" There were shrieks, screams, thrills, and cries! We LOVE the safari!

"Russell's" birthday

While the girls were here, Austin had a birthday!!! So we got to celebrate with him. Aunt Kara and Aunt Shanda made a cake and the kids put on some 'good ole teeth' for some redneck pics! Happy birthday Rusty!

kitchen renovation....

This was the inspiration.

While my sisters were here, we got a wild hair. I have this spoon that is teal. I randomly said that one day, I would like that color to be my new accent color in my kitchen. (right now, its yellow). I went down to the basement and came back up to find my sisters clearing out the kitchen. They felt brave and made me feel brave, too, and before we knew it, we were at Wal-Mart (at 10 pm) getting tape and brushes and primer and rollers to begin what we had planned to be a quick 24 hour redo of my kitchen. We should have known better.

Kara and Shanda....rolling and sweeping!

we made a MAJOR mistake....but didn't realize it until the primer and first coat of paint was on...we used latex primer and needed to use and oil based primer....so we had to spend the next 6-8 hours peeling off everything we had just done!

Keep in mind, we have EIGHT children (7 years and under, including three under the age of 14 months) So the house was DESTROYED!

(while the mothers were busy peeling and scraping...the kids entertained themselves!-yes that is josie in panties and a pacifier....we were very lax during this whole process!)


But, I must say, that after a few melt downs (kids and moms included) the kitchen looks amazing and I owe my sisters for it. Kara, Shelly and Shanda worked tirelessly and even extended their trip in order to get it all done!

Visit from sisters

Having my sisters over brings out the best...or worst in us. Suddenly, we are acting like little kids again....we even had mom come up from downstairs to tell us to keep it down!

We do pyramids

We have water fights in the kitchen. (got my flooors clean!)

We do "pop-ups" (mom called them kips)

And leg wrestle...and I wiped the floor with them all!

I'm so glad that their husbands work for a co. that allows them to fly for free. And I'm so glad that they are here in VA with me...I just wish the rest of them could be here to....I bet Vanessa would give me some compition for the wrestling!

Coach Lavell Edwards

Tyler's college coach from BYU came out to SVU for a visit and to catch a game. Some of you may have heard of him....Lavell Edwards. His wife was absolutely adorable. We got to take them out to dinner tonight. It was so fun to hear him tell stories and talk so highly of my wonderful husband. It was a great dinner. they have led such an interesting life...and if I remember correctly, they have been married 57 years. When dinner was over, Sis. Edwards said to me that is a good life to live (being a coach's wife) and that she wouldn't change it for the world. I picked a good one!

(andP.S - if I could, I would erase this picture in a heartbeat...first of all its fuzzy, my black shirt is blending in with everything in the back ground, I have a red nose (its was cold), no summer tan left and my hips are at a weird angle, so I look like a mack truck! but it is the only one we got with the Edwards...and I didn't preview it to make sure it was a good one...like we all do after a picture is taken, right?!)

Halloween 2008

Halloween #1

We had three straight nights of halloween festivities!!! Wednesday night started us off at the church for the annual trunk or treat and chili cook off. Kids wore costumes #1!


Tee the spider (the same costume Duce wore)

Jo the "ribbit" (same costume Duce and Jett wore) - - - - - Avery the ladybug

Jett the mummy or ghost, or white ninja - - - - - - - - - - Duce the hunter
Erika the cat and Tyler the ski bum

The boys enjoyed a little bobbing for donuts!

Halloween #2

Thursday night was tirck or treating at the school. The kids wore costumes #2.

Duce the flag football player - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Avery the kitty

Jett the hunter - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Josie the ladybug

Halloween #3

Avery had trick or treating for her preschool on Friday, so she actually dressed up 4 different times...my mom made this witch costume for my niece, Anna, who loaned it to Avery. She LOVED it! Thanks Anna!

Avery's little methodist class went trick or treating to the Lexington businesses!

Halloween #4

On Friday, family from Florida came up for the football game, so Kolt dressed up with the kids and they hit up the Buena Vista business and a few streets for their final night of trick or treating!

Duce the ninja - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Jett the pirate

Avery the chicken - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Josie the skunk

Tee the monkey

Halloween '08 was great!!! And the kids now have enough candy to hold them over until next year!